COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State men’s hockey team will take on Michigan in an outdoor hockey game, The Frozen Diamond Faceoff, Jan. 15, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio, the MLB Cleveland Indians announced Thursday. The game, a Central Collegiate Hockey Association contest slated for a 5:05 p.m. puck drop, will be part of Indians Snow Days at Progressive Field.

“This is a great opportunity for our program and student-athletes,” Ohio State second-year head coach Mark Osiecki, said. “I was involved with two outdoor games at Wisconsin and they really are something special for everyone involved. It’s such a unique experience to play on an outdoor rink in front of so many fans.”

Indians Snow Days gives fans the chance to enjoy ice skating, snow tubing and more at Progressive Field. “Snopening Day” is Nov. 25 and runs through Jan. 16. A full calendar is available at Indians.com/snowdays.

The Frozen Diamond is a new addition to Indians Snow Days, which is now in its second year. It is a regulation-sized ice rink situated on the infield covering homeplate and stretching down the first base line.

“We are excited to be a part of The Frozen Diamond Faceoff,” Chris Schneider, Ohio State associate athletics director for sport administration, said. “The event allows us to bring Ohio State hockey to fans in the northern part of the state. We are pleased we can share this experience with one of our university’s biggest rivals.”

Ohio State first played in an outdoor game Feb. 11, 2006, when it faced off against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Osiecki was an assistant coach for the Badgers in the game, which was played in front of 40,890 fans.

Ohio State fans will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for The Frozen Diamond Faceoff from the university’s allotment through special presale opportunities before they become available to the general public. Specifics on the presale will be released in the coming weeks; check OhioStateBuckeyes.com for information.

Ohio State and Michigan will play four games during 2011-12. The teams will meet in Ann Arbor, Mich., Nov. 18-19. The Buckeyes will host the Wolverines in Value City Arena in Columbus Jan. 13 before the teams wrap up the series with The Frozen Diamond Faceoff.